This is the fourth installment of an ongoing series highlighting how people in a wide range of industries are using their ACE Health Coach certification to expand their careers. Here, Beth Read explains why she was inspired to become an ACE Health Coach, and how the certification has increased her ability to help patients in her work as a family nurse practitioner.

Thinking about making the trip to ACE East in Orlando next month, but still can’t quite make up your mind? Here are 10 reasons why you don’t want to miss such a great event that will not only benefit your career, but is sure be a ton of fun as well.

Fitness is booming and with the ever increasing number of corporate wellness programs and health insurance incentives, opening a gym appears to be a great opportunity. However, with all of the different options, taking that first step in opening up a gym can be quite daunting. In the second installment of this series on how to open your own gym, we’ll delve into the world of finding a property, floor planning and equipment purchasing.

This is the third installment of an ongoing series highlighting how people in a wide range of industries are using their ACE Health Coach certification to expand their careers. Here, Allison Becker explains why she was inspired to become an ACE Health Coach, and how the certification allowed her to blend her dietetics coursework with her fitness knowledge to help others develop healthy habits that worked with their lifestyles.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of the career-growth opportunities of corporate wellness, you need to know how to locate the companies that are most likely to benefit from your services. In this second of a three-part series, corporate wellness expert Angel Chelik explains how to find the companies that are most likely to value and hire you for your services in this booming fitness niche.

Didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s 2013 IDEA World Fitness Convention? Here is a quick summary of some of the highlights, which included top-notch education and high-energy workouts. Dr. Michael Mantell also explains why this year, information was clearly king.

Fitness is booming and with the ever increasing number of corporate wellness programs and health insurance incentives, opening a gym appears to be a great opportunity. However, with all of the different options, taking that first step in opening up a gym can be quite daunting. This series will shed some light on where to begin and provide resources for learning more about the gym business.

It’s one thing to gain new clients—and an entirely different task to hang on to them over the long-term. Client retention is, as many will tell you, more of an art than a science—and some trainers are definitely masters. Here, several top pros share their secrets for ensuring their clients keep coming back, week after week.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your career as a fitness professional, you’re probably on the lookout for new products and tools that can help you do your job better. Did you know that ACE recently created an entire website packed with information and services that can help you educate and provide much-needed support for your clients? Here is a sampling of some of the great free tools offered on ACEfit.com.

ACE-certified Personal Trainer Nicole Copare shares her story of why she decided to become an ACE Health Coach and how this one decision has had a huge impact on both her career and her ability to help improve the health and well-being of her clients.

It’s nearly back-to-school time, which also happens to be back-to-the-gym time for many people, especially busy moms who finally get some time to focus on their fitness. Creating a welcoming environment in your classes for new participants is essential to keeping them coming back for more. Fitness expert Shannon Fable shares her best tips for helping newbies feel successful and have fun in your group fitness classes.

You’ve likely been hearing a lot about how corporate wellness offers great opportunities for fitness professionals looking to expand their careers. But how do you even get started? In this first of a three-part series, corporate wellness expert Angel Chelik explains the first steps you need to take to determine your vision and identify potential collaborators in this booming fitness niche.

This is the first installment of an ongoing series highlighting how people in a wide range of industries are using their ACE Health Coach certification to expand their careers. Here, physical therapy assistant Stephanie Longson explains why she was inspired to become an ACE Health Coach, and how the tools and knowledge she gained has enabled her to assist her clients in making positive, lasting lifestyle changes.

It can be tempting to accumulate a stack of certifications to serve as proof of your qualifications, but is that really the best use of your education dollars? The truth is, many so-called certifications are really just continuing education courses and not necessarily worth the higher price tag. Jonathan Ross explains how to invest wisely by putting your funds into education that can actually help advance your career.

What does it really take to be a successful trainer in the fitness industry? Jonathan Ross’ outlines five keys to being a successful trainer, which will not only help guide you in your career, but make it possible to help clients find true health and happiness, which arguably could be the ultimate measure of lasting success.

In an industry where word-of-mouth can be the difference between success and failure, it’s your expertise that should do the talking. ACE CEO Scott Goudeseune introduces ACE Specialty Certifications and discusses how they will help you market yourselves and stand out among your peers.

If you’re a fitness or health professional looking to take the next step in your career, the ACE Health Coach Certification may be right for you. ACE Director of Credentialing Todd Galati discusses the importance of the certification, what topic areas it emphasizes, who it is intended for, and how becoming an ACE Health Coach will allow you make long-term changes in people’s lives.

If you’re looking for a career where your knowledge will impact hundreds of individuals both physically and financially, corporate wellness may be the right path for you. While many fitness professionals tend shy away from this industry, the reality is that it can be a very rewarding place to work. In this article, Dr. Mark Kelly discusses the necessary steps to land a job as a wellness consultant.

Knowing how to connect with your clients in a way that caters to their personal styles can build the foundation for a healthy, lifelong relationship. Learn from ACE Senior Fitness Consultant Dr. Michael Mantell as he discusses the importance of rapport and the role it plays in career success.

In my career, I have definitely had bouts of staleness and burnout. What I learned is that once I started feeling that way, then it was time to look for a continuing education workshop to stimulate my gray matter and break me out of the rut. Taking the time to learn anatomy and movement mechanics will help you to add variety and excitement to your exercise programs, creating more enjoyment for both you and your clients.

Like so many other ACE-certified personal trainers, there’s no doubt you wanted to become a personal trainer because you had a passion for fitness, wanted to stay on top of cutting-edge exercise information and — possibly most importantly — desired to positively transform lives. A passion for business and marketing strategies probably wasn't what got you started in the industry. But having business savvy is important and can help fuel your career. Find out why.

Small group training has been gaining popularity because it’s an affordable, fun way for clients to take advantage of a trainer’s expertise at a lower financial investment — all while keeping the fun and competitiveness of a group dynamic. How does it differ from one-on-one personal training, and how can you effectively design programs? Find out.

Are you ready to take your yoga practice and profession to the next level? Do you want to thrive from your practice in every way possible – from managing and growing finances to ensuring your practice supports your lifestyle? Become empowered to grow your yoga business potential with these strategies for success!

If you find yourself looking for fresh and successful ways to get new clients or are just looking to become a better professional, this post is for you. See why Pete McCall says the business model in the fitness industry is flawed and how personal trainers can have success by offering results-oriented training packages.

Congratulations! You’ve worked hard, studied, and have finally passed your ACE Personal Trainer certification. Now what? Pete McCall shows what options are available for advancing your career, and shares his experience of going from club management to becoming a full-time personal trainer and group fitness instructor to a fitness educator. Get his tips on securing positions to advance your career as a fitness professional.

After scoping out all of the latest equipment from recent trade shows, here are some of my favorite pieces. The biggest trends I’ve seen are the use of non-traditional strength-training equipment and the use of technology to enhance the exercise experience.